Before 12 years of age, Cecil Williams’ camera had captured the petitioners in Clarendon County as they lit the torch of freedom. At 14 years old, he played Arthur Ashe at Bethune-Cookman College winning thee games from the soon to be world tennis champion. In 10th grade, he photographed Thurgood Marshallcoming to Charleston for the Briggs case, and again one year later, speaking at Claflin. In 1955, he became the youngest-ever JET Magazine photographer. In 1960, upon being thrown out of a New York press conference, he became JFK’s favorite lensman.

At 38 years old—and 40 years before solar electricity became popularized—he designed a solar-operated (photovoltaic) home featured in EBONY. One year later, he designed the Envirodome, an energy-light impulsive roof-top device considered for patent by Sears executives in Chicago.In 1984—to live out a childhood obsession to defeat Senator Strom Thurmond—he ran for United States senate, and with only $530 in campaign funds, received over 300,000 votes in the South Carolina Democratic Primary. Trying again in 1995, with larger campaign funds ($850), he received 70,000 votes but defeated by millionaire Elliott Close, who with $250,00 campaign funds, received 99,000 votes. In 2015, he designed the Filmtoaster, a device now used around the world to digitize film.

Now, after a ten year obsession to create a museum to house his civil rights era images, he's doing it!

...because; something inside so strong!

GIVING BACK

Being a blessing to someone is philanthropy.

Born enslaved, Harriett Tubman gave freedom.

Robbed of education, Catherin Ferguson started a school.

After shattering ceilings, Madam C.J. Walker opened doors.

With every blessing received, we pay it forward by investing in people and communities